Trackers

A pulse-pounding thriller which also gives the reader 'total immersion' in a foreign culture - just as the Scandinavians do.

A housewife running from years of domestic abuse. A bodyguard hired to escort a smuggled rhinoceros. A group of Islamic terrorists based in a quiet residential street. A secret government agency threatened with amalgamation within a bigger department. A retired policeman trying to get used to his new career in the private sector.Each of these strands of a brilliant narrative is populated with superbly-drawn characters, and woven into a stunningly exciting drama by the undisputed king of South African suspense fiction. Not only a heart-pounding thriller, but also a love story and a fabulous kaleidoscopic picture of South African society, this is the finest novel yet from an author whose reputation is growing all around the world.

Review:

'Smuggling, missing persons and an edgy post-apartheid South Africa interlace in a riveting crime novel ... This is the author's most accomplished novel to date. Following the thrilling plot of his best-selling Thirteen Hours was always going to be a challenge but he's visibly gained confidence, showing his technical skill and handling the different sections of the new book with effortless ease. It's a mesmerising read, and a -startling revelation at the very end suggests that we haven't heard the last of these engaging characters.' -- The Sunday Times 'How fulfilling the rewards are for those seeking crime fiction with real texture and intelligence ... The author presents an unsparing picture of social divisions in post-apartheid South Africa ... But perhaps his key achievement is the astutely drawn trio: the conflicted bodyguard, streetwise but falling for a major deception; the young woman fleeing a desperately unhappy marriage and discovering something that changes her perception of herself; and the ex-cop, finding that the incendiary reserves of violence in his personality are nearer to the surface than he thought. TRACKERS is a sprawling, invigorating and socially committed crime novel.' -- Independent 'An ambitious, multi-threaded tale ... comprehensively pulling the reader into the melee of modern South Africa ... this is a book that tells a cracking story and captures the criminal kaleidoscope of a nation.' -- Times Literary Supplement 'Meyer is the leading chronicler of South Africa, and his latest novel shows off his technical skill... a dazzling performance.' -- Sunday Times Books of the Year 2011 'This year's great discovery: classy, edgy writing, subtly plotted and beautifully balanced between fast-paced action, pungent social comment and the process of investigation.' -- Weekend Australian The Thriller Shot of the Year title goes to South African Deon Meyer for his superb tour-de-force TRACKERS which combines a spy plot worthy of Le Carre ( spy the beloved country ) with several tense and violent criminal sub-plots and a complex and stunningly impressive narrative structure. All in all, a masterpiece of South African crime writing; which is rapidly proving to be the bench-mark of international crime fiction.' -- Shots 'This South African kind of crime is going global fast. TRACKERS shows why: three deftly-braided plot strands join political sophistication, strongly-drawn characters and a passionate concern with the Rainbow Nation's fate.' -- i 'An unusually intriguing story about modern South Africa.' -- Literary Review 'The book that stayed with me most from this year is Deon Meyer's TRACKERS ... a dazzling performance.' -- Joan Smith, Sunday Times books of the year 2011 'Critics were struggling to come up with new adjectives to praise the South African writer Deon Meyer's TRACKERS, a menacing tale of smuggling and disappearances on a sprawling canvas of post-apartheid South Africa.' -- Independent Books of the Year 'The author is proclaimed to be South Africa's answer to Stieg Larsson in a banner headline on the cover. I wouldn't disagree with that. He is certainly as powerful a writer, although his style is slightly different, and considerably more complex ... this is one of the most absorbing crime stories you are ever likely to read.' -- Shots 'Meyer's ambition matches his execution in this brilliantly complex standalone thriller set in his native South Africa ... Few readers will anticipate exactly how the separate plot strands will be resolved. This powerhouse read, which captures the many facets of modern South Africa, should be the American breakthrough book this talented author deserves.' -- Publishers Weekly Starred Review 'Award-winning crime fiction author Meyer demonstrates his superb gift for bringing together several disparate plots, striking characters, and vividly drawn scenes of contemporary South Africa, all roaring towards a climax with more than one surprise ... With a fine eye for detail, an unflattering image of South African culture, and clear sympathy for the downtrodden, Meyer still never loses his focus on page-turning suspense and riveting mystery. Highly recommended.' -- Library Journal Starred Review 'Publishers and booksellers trumpet that South Africa is the new Scandinavia when it comes to crime writing and that Deon Meyer is South Africa's Answer to Stieg Larsson . He's not; he's far better ... With TRACKERS I would suggest he has moved into the John le Carre class, and not simply because one of the plot lines is about the workings of a South African security department and the political in-fighting involved, but mainly because this is a book which is a great thriller and a fine novel of characterisation. Indeed, the cast of characters is diverse (morally as well as ethnically) but every single one is fully-formed and three-dimensional and they all play their parts in a complex triple-stranded plot.' -- Shots 'Without doubt one of the brightest stars to emerge from the Southern African crime scene is Deon Meyer. A big, complex novel, it skilfully weaves together three separate storylines, and three different forms of crime-writing, into a cohesive and fascinating whole ... The result is a very powerful thriller that sweeps the reader up in its gritty portrayal of modern South Africa ... Meyer's mixture of compelling, believable characters, tense plotting and fascinating insights into the texture of everyday South Africa make TRACKERS one of the year's better crime novels.' -- Canberra Times 'Being hailed as the finest novel yet from an author whose reputation is growing around the world. Deon Meyer, is building a steady collection of awards for his books and an international fan base.' -- Hobart Mercury 'A powerful thriller. Meyer deftly builds tension by allowing the paths of his three disparate protagonists a bodyguard, a private eye and a woman escaping an abusive marriage to intersect. A rewarding read.' -- Herald Sun (Australia) 'A powerful thriller. Meyer deftly builds tension ... A rewarding read.' -- Daily Telegraph (Australia) 'It's like three complex, gripping an absorbing books in one, so you're getting your money's worth' -- Adelaide Advertiser 20111126 'Deon Meyer writes a cracking good adventure.' -- Manly Daily (Australia) 20111126 'Meyer is a very good storyteller. A very good read.' -- Sun Herald 20111127 'One of the sharpest and most perceptive thriller writers around' -- Peter Millar, The Times, on DEVIL'S PEAK 20111127 'Far and away the best crime writer in South Africa' -- Guardian on BLOOD SAFARI 20111127 'This guy is really good. Deon Meyer hooked me with this one right from the start.' -- Michael Connelly on HEART OF THE HUNTER 20111127 'Stephen King is a writer who can be absolutely confident of the glowing reception he will receive for virtually everything he writes. King readers know that he is an absolute master of the ambitious, imaginative novel - and the proof of that shouts out from every page of 11.22.63.' -- Good Book Guide 20111127

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Description

A pulse-pounding thriller which also gives the reader 'total immersion' in a foreign culture - just as the Scandinavians do.

A housewife running from years of domestic abuse. A bodyguard hired to escort a smuggled rhinoceros. A group of Islamic terrorists based in a quiet residential street. A secret government agency threatened with amalgamation within a bigger department. A retired policeman trying to get used to his new career in the private sector.Each of these strands of a brilliant narrative is populated with superbly-drawn characters, and woven into a stunningly exciting drama by the undisputed king of South African suspense fiction. Not only a heart-pounding thriller, but also a love story and a fabulous kaleidoscopic picture of South African society, this is the finest novel yet from an author whose reputation is growing all around the world.

Review:

'Smuggling, missing persons and an edgy post-apartheid South Africa interlace in a riveting crime novel ... This is the author's most accomplished novel to date. Following the thrilling plot of his best-selling Thirteen Hours was always going to be a challenge but he's visibly gained confidence, showing his technical skill and handling the different sections of the new book with effortless ease. It's a mesmerising read, and a -startling revelation at the very end suggests that we haven't heard the last of these engaging characters.' -- The Sunday Times 'How fulfilling the rewards are for those seeking crime fiction with real texture and intelligence ... The author presents an unsparing picture of social divisions in post-apartheid South Africa ... But perhaps his key achievement is the astutely drawn trio: the conflicted bodyguard, streetwise but falling for a major deception; the young woman fleeing a desperately unhappy marriage and discovering something that changes her perception of herself; and the ex-cop, finding that the incendiary reserves of violence in his personality are nearer to the surface than he thought. TRACKERS is a sprawling, invigorating and socially committed crime novel.' -- Independent 'An ambitious, multi-threaded tale ... comprehensively pulling the reader into the melee of modern South Africa ... this is a book that tells a cracking story and captures the criminal kaleidoscope of a nation.' -- Times Literary Supplement 'Meyer is the leading chronicler of South Africa, and his latest novel shows off his technical skill... a dazzling performance.' -- Sunday Times Books of the Year 2011 'This year's great discovery: classy, edgy writing, subtly plotted and beautifully balanced between fast-paced action, pungent social comment and the process of investigation.' -- Weekend Australian The Thriller Shot of the Year title goes to South African Deon Meyer for his superb tour-de-force TRACKERS which combines a spy plot worthy of Le Carre ( spy the beloved country ) with several tense and violent criminal sub-plots and a complex and stunningly impressive narrative structure. All in all, a masterpiece of South African crime writing; which is rapidly proving to be the bench-mark of international crime fiction.' -- Shots 'This South African kind of crime is going global fast. TRACKERS shows why: three deftly-braided plot strands join political sophistication, strongly-drawn characters and a passionate concern with the Rainbow Nation's fate.' -- i 'An unusually intriguing story about modern South Africa.' -- Literary Review 'The book that stayed with me most from this year is Deon Meyer's TRACKERS ... a dazzling performance.' -- Joan Smith, Sunday Times books of the year 2011 'Critics were struggling to come up with new adjectives to praise the South African writer Deon Meyer's TRACKERS, a menacing tale of smuggling and disappearances on a sprawling canvas of post-apartheid South Africa.' -- Independent Books of the Year 'The author is proclaimed to be South Africa's answer to Stieg Larsson in a banner headline on the cover. I wouldn't disagree with that. He is certainly as powerful a writer, although his style is slightly different, and considerably more complex ... this is one of the most absorbing crime stories you are ever likely to read.' -- Shots 'Meyer's ambition matches his execution in this brilliantly complex standalone thriller set in his native South Africa ... Few readers will anticipate exactly how the separate plot strands will be resolved. This powerhouse read, which captures the many facets of modern South Africa, should be the American breakthrough book this talented author deserves.' -- Publishers Weekly Starred Review 'Award-winning crime fiction author Meyer demonstrates his superb gift for bringing together several disparate plots, striking characters, and vividly drawn scenes of contemporary South Africa, all roaring towards a climax with more than one surprise ... With a fine eye for detail, an unflattering image of South African culture, and clear sympathy for the downtrodden, Meyer still never loses his focus on page-turning suspense and riveting mystery. Highly recommended.' -- Library Journal Starred Review 'Publishers and booksellers trumpet that South Africa is the new Scandinavia when it comes to crime writing and that Deon Meyer is South Africa's Answer to Stieg Larsson . He's not; he's far better ... With TRACKERS I would suggest he has moved into the John le Carre class, and not simply because one of the plot lines is about the workings of a South African security department and the political in-fighting involved, but mainly because this is a book which is a great thriller and a fine novel of characterisation. Indeed, the cast of characters is diverse (morally as well as ethnically) but every single one is fully-formed and three-dimensional and they all play their parts in a complex triple-stranded plot.' -- Shots 'Without doubt one of the brightest stars to emerge from the Southern African crime scene is Deon Meyer. A big, complex novel, it skilfully weaves together three separate storylines, and three different forms of crime-writing, into a cohesive and fascinating whole ... The result is a very powerful thriller that sweeps the reader up in its gritty portrayal of modern South Africa ... Meyer's mixture of compelling, believable characters, tense plotting and fascinating insights into the texture of everyday South Africa make TRACKERS one of the year's better crime novels.' -- Canberra Times 'Being hailed as the finest novel yet from an author whose reputation is growing around the world. Deon Meyer, is building a steady collection of awards for his books and an international fan base.' -- Hobart Mercury 'A powerful thriller. Meyer deftly builds tension by allowing the paths of his three disparate protagonists a bodyguard, a private eye and a woman escaping an abusive marriage to intersect. A rewarding read.' -- Herald Sun (Australia) 'A powerful thriller. Meyer deftly builds tension ... A rewarding read.' -- Daily Telegraph (Australia) 'It's like three complex, gripping an absorbing books in one, so you're getting your money's worth' -- Adelaide Advertiser 20111126 'Deon Meyer writes a cracking good adventure.' -- Manly Daily (Australia) 20111126 'Meyer is a very good storyteller. A very good read.' -- Sun Herald 20111127 'One of the sharpest and most perceptive thriller writers around' -- Peter Millar, The Times, on DEVIL'S PEAK 20111127 'Far and away the best crime writer in South Africa' -- Guardian on BLOOD SAFARI 20111127 'This guy is really good. Deon Meyer hooked me with this one right from the start.' -- Michael Connelly on HEART OF THE HUNTER 20111127 'Stephen King is a writer who can be absolutely confident of the glowing reception he will receive for virtually everything he writes. King readers know that he is an absolute master of the ambitious, imaginative novel - and the proof of that shouts out from every page of 11.22.63.' -- Good Book Guide 20111127

Product details

Author:

Deon Meyer

Publisher:

Hodder & Stoughton

ISBN:

9781444723663

Audience:

General

Pages:

496

Width (mm):

156

Length (mm):

233

Additional Info:

Deon Meyer lives in Durbanville in South Africa with his wife and four children. Other than his family, Deon's big passions are motorcycling, music, reading, cooking and rugby. In January 2008 he retired from his day job as a consultant on brand strategy for BMW Motorrad, and is now a full time author. Deon Meyer's books have attracted worldwide critical acclaim and a growing international fanbase. Originally written in Afrikaans, they have now been translated into twenty-five languages. THIRTEEN HOURS was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger and won the Boeke Prize in South Africa - the first time in the prize's 16 year history that a South African book has won. Visit the author's website at www.deonmeyer.com and follow him on Twitter @MeyerDeon

Weight (g):

650

Customer reviews

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Set in the Cape this book has a lot to offer, drama, humour, and a bit of local colour. This was the first Deon Meyer that I read and I have since bought all the others, which are just as good. He is building an international readership.

Michelle

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